Social development in India : retrospects and prospects

Social development has long history, especially in social change, growth, and development. Ever since the implementation of First Five Year Plan (1951-56) has given the wide scope for social welfare services. A holistic approach alone can reveal the totality of the process of development. Further, improvement in quality of life is the ultimate goals of development planning.

India's governments have established an extensive social welfare system. Programs for children include supplementary nutrition for expectant mothers and for children less than seven years of age, immunization and health programs, vacation camps for low-income families, and training for adolescents. Due to illiteracy, ignorance and p ting guns on their hands seem to an easy option that ultimately is destroying them. Liberalization and globalization of economy, which has introduced cut-throat competition, is the first challenges. As a result of changes, there is need for social reforms, social change and implementation of strict legislations and good governance in the society.

The present book is a compendium of articles on various social development issues like poverty. unemployment, health, drinking water, sanitation and urban governance, communal relations, local government and decentralization, child labor and social security, marginalized groups and how women far across the social indices. The studies carried out by senior academicians, professionals, research scholars, and NGOs representatives will be helpful in throwing more light for future researchers and also academicians for taking new avenues in research perspectives. It will be ready reckoners for the developmental activities and NGOs to carry-out new policies in their respective field of study.